"I Can't Breathe!"
A chalk drawing on pavement, surrounded by memorial flowers and other memorabilia in tribute to George Floyd. The chalk drawing is of a figure, face down on the concrete. Outlined in a neutral tone, the figure's form is established with blue chalk and accented with white. Laying flat on their chest, the figure's legs extend straight behind them. Neutral tones sprout a halo of light around the figure's head, while wings extend out from their shoulders. Four prayer candles line the figure's halo. At the figure's feet, bold lettering reads in fully capitalized text: "I Can't Breathe, I Can't Breathe".
Just beyond the lettering, a white painted wicker stool provides a seat for spectators to pause for a moment. Alongside the stool, a sign painted to look like a section from a brick wall reads in white lettering: "A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning."
The photographer stood outside of Cup Foods in order to take this image. Cup Foods is the corner store that called the police to accuse Floyd of attempting to make a purchase with a counterfeit bill, ultimately leading to the fatal confrontation that resulted in his death.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1769
3759 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
"Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board: George Floyd Square" sign
This MPRB sign has been removed from another location and placed at the intersection of 38th and Chicago Avenue. The peeling at the end of the sign suggests that it has been edited from its original location name to now read: "George Floyd Square".
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) identifies parks and other destinations (i.e. lakes, trails, parkways, gardens, etc.) with permanent signage: wooden, rectangular, and painted with black, neutral, green and white colors. All permanent MPRB signage share this consistent stylization.
The location in which George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department has since been transformed into a memorial. The zone, regarded as "George Floyd Square," is filled with memorial tributes to Floyd. Residents from the neighborhood maintain that the streets remain barricaded off in order to protect the area from traffic.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1776
3800 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
"Protect Each Other"
A vibrant-blue painted sign is mounted to a traffic light post. The sign features a cartoon face with curly hair. Text surrounds the face, which reads "Protect Each Other. Masks Help Us All. Justice for George Floyd"
Two small square stickers are also stuck to the sign: one with red lettering on a blue background that reads "Fuck Trump"; one with white lettering on a black background that reads "Dump Trump"
The location in which George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department has since been transformed into a memorial. The zone, regarded as "George Floyd Square," is filled with memorial tributes to Floyd. Residents from the neighborhood maintain that the streets remain barricaded off in order to protect the area from traffic.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1779
3800 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
"RIP George Floyd" Flowerbed
Within the now-closed road of Chicago Avenue at the George Floyd Square at the intersection of 38th and Chicago, a flowerbed stands in Floyd's memory. One of many, this particular bed is painted bright blue. "No Justice, No Peace" is hand-painted in bold lettering on the legs of the bed. The base of the bed features a headstone, surrounded by red rosebuds, that reads "RIP George Floyd". Vibrant and thriving plant life spills out over the edges of the flowerbed.
The photographer stood in the street outside of Cup Foods in order to take this image. Cup Foods is the corner store that called the police to accuse Floyd of attempting to make a purchase with a counterfeit bill, ultimately leading to the fatal confrontation that resulted in his death.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1771
3759 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
"Use Your White Privilege!"
A painted plywood sign leaning against a wrought iron fence is coated in a wash of black paint. Pink and red paint carefully outlines the text, which reads: "Use your white privilege to dismantle the system! Black Lives Matter"
The location in which George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department has since been transformed into a memorial. The zone, regarded as "George Floyd Square," is filled with memorial tributes to Floyd. Residents from the neighborhood maintain that the streets remain barricaded off in order to protect the area from traffic.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
FS
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1778
3759 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
"Your name will NOT be FORGOTTEN"
A memorial to George Floyd at the intersection of his murder at 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis surrounded by potted plants and cut flower bouquets. Two bandanas, one rainbow printed and one cream-colored, are tied at the top of the memorial which has been built on a stanchion. Candles sit at the base the memorial, underneath a note that reads: "George Floyd, Your name will NOT be FORGOTTEN. Your senseless death has ignited a REVOLUTION. REST IN PEACE. You matter & ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER." The note is signed "Love + Blessings - Susie, Pittsburgh, PA"
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photography by Evy Envgrav
3800 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407
(George 8:46)
A billboard overlooking George Floyd Square is covered in a wash of black. Simple white font reads, in ascending scale, three sentences:
"Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out of me" (Luke 8:46)
"Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" (John 8:46)
"I CAN'T BREATHE... MAMA" (George 8:46)
The location in which George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department has since been transformed into a memorial. The zone, regarded as "George Floyd Square," is filled with memorial tributes to Floyd. Residents from the neighborhood maintain that the streets remain barricaded off in order to protect the area from traffic.The first two sentences are bible verses from the books of Luke and John, each the 46th verse from chapter 8 of the corresponding book.
The third sentence is a fragment of George Floyd's last words, alongside the approximate amount of time it took for him to die after Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1780
3800 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
All Black Lives Matter Street Mural, Los Angeles, CA
All Black Lives Matter is written in a variety of colors on the pavement.
Luckie Alexander
<p><span>The ‘</span><i><span>All Black Lives Matter Street Mural’ </span></i><span>was organized by Luckie Alexander in Los Angeles, California on Hollywood Boulevard. Luckie Alexander is a trans man who advocates for bringing about change to the LGBTQ+ community (CHIPTS). He is committed to giving back to the community by spreading awareness and educating others (CHIPTS). </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Alexander managed to get hundreds of volunteers to help create this mural on June 13, 2020 (Do, 2020). The mural shows the words “All Black Lives Matter” in bold writing. Each word also contains colors representing nonbinary, transgender, and queer pride flags, along with others (Do, 2020). The mural was painted before the All Black Lives Matter march. This march was in place to show support for the Black community and transgender people of color (Do, 2020). Tens of thousands of protesters showed up for this march, making it one of the largest protests the area had ever seen (O’Kane, 2020). </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After the march, a clean-up crew went by in an attempt to remove the mural with power washing equipment. As the crew began to remove the mural, they were met with protesters who did not want the mural removed (Do, 2020). Crew members were able to remove three letters before a member of the city council instructed them to stop (O’Kane, 2020). The protest to keep the mural on this street helped create a partnership with different council members, activists, and other groups to make sure the mural remains permanent. There is significance to this mural's location on Hollywood Boulevard, because it was also where the first recognized gay pride parade was held (Do, 2020). </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Other similar murals were also painted on the streets of important and well-trafficked roads across the country. Some of these roads include “Black Lives Matter” written on a street in front of the White House, which is now permanently named Black Lives Matter Plaza (O’Krane, 2020). There were also many other Black Lives Matter murals painted on buildings across Los Angeles. Those murals include images of George Floyd and phrases like “Protect Black Women” and “United We Stand Up” (Pineda, 2020). These murals are all large and painted across whole buildings in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.</span><span> <br /><br />Researched by Nicole Thomas</span></p>
<p>Sources</p>
<p><span>Do, A. (2020, August 26). </span><i><span>Coming soon to Hollywood Boulevard: 'all black lives matter' art will be permanent</span></i><span>. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from </span><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-26/hollywood-blm-art-permanent"><span>https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-26/hollywood-blm-art-permanent</span></a><span> </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>O'Kane, C. (2020, August 26). "All black lives matter" mural will become permanent on Hollywood Boulevard. CBS News. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from </span><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/black-lives-matter-hollywood-boulevard-mural/"><span>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/black-lives-matter-hollywood-boulevard-mural/</span></a><span> </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Pineda, D. (2020, August 12). Across L.A., black lives matter murals appear like billboards for Justice. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from </span><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-12/black-lives-matter-murals-los-angeles"><span>https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-12/black-lives-matter-murals-los-angeles</span></a><span> </span><span> </span></p>
<br />Image <a href="https://imagesvc.meredithcorp.io/v3/mm/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F20%2F2020%2F06%2F15%2Fhollywood.jpg&q=60">URL</a><br /><br />News Coverage by <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/06/mural-stating-all-black-lives-matter-painted-on-hollywood-highland-lgbtq-blm-march-1202958718/">Deadline</a><br /><br />Tweet by <a href="https://twitter.com/MitchOFarrell/status/1272709601486495745?s=20">Mitch O'Farrell</a> on June 15, 2020.<br /><br />Instagram post by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZOquGpk_e/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0c72307f-e8bc-472b-936a-2787a4545ad6">Bethany Barton</a> on June 13, 2020.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
LA
Artist: Luckie Alexander
Photographer: AFP via Getty Images
34.101579, -118.34061
All Love
A mural depicting many characters and open spaces for others to contribute thoughts, statements, and questions to the viewer. Created adjacent to the Capitol Hill Organized Protest.
Miku
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
HS
Kerry Lannert, klannert@gmail.com, @k.lannert (instagram)
Miku
UAM-GF_1483
1101 E Pike St, Seattle, WA, USA
Artists for George
A memorial to George Floyd at the intersection of his murder at 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis surrounded by potted plant, stuffed animals and cut flower bouquets. A cardboard sign reads in black Sharpie lettering "Artists for George." Behind the foreground, other memorials and chalk drawings are visible nearby. A flowerbed, painted black, reads "No Justice No Peace" in bold white painted lettering.
The photographer stood outside of Cup Foods in order to take this image. Cup Foods was the corner store that had called the police to accuse Floyd of attempting to make a purchase with a counterfeit bill, ultimately leading to the fatal confrontation that resulted in his death.
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-06-13">2020-06-13</a>
F.S.
Photographer: Evy Envgrav
UAM-GF_1768
3759 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA